2023 fashion unveiled: exploring the trends

From Blokette to Barbie-Core, take a look at this year’s fashion resonance of styles and subcultures 

By Teresa Valenton

A collage of different clothing and aesthetic styles

 2023 ends with various aesthetics taking over social media platforms and our wardrobes. (Teresa Valenton/CanCulture)

In the vast fashion landscape of 2023, social media and pop culture fueled a range of aesthetics, styles and trends. This unique blend showcases global influences and homegrown creativity. This year witnessed the rapid rise and fall of micro and macro aesthetics in the likes of “blokette,” “gorp core,” and “coquette.” Join CanCulture as we review this year’s most notable trends where style met culture.

Blokette

@beckykim_ thank u @wavykaren for the inspo!! 🫶 #blokettestyle ♬ like and follow - sm.

We’ve all seen the Blokette aesthetic take over fashion TikTok for some time now. Whether it was through your favourite celebrities or the influencer-sponsored brand, this aesthetic has surfaced the internet by storm. The term “Blokette” was first coined by the podcast Nymphet Alumni, to describe the pairing of sportswear with the detailing of hyper-feminine pieces.

This aesthetic channels your typical 90s casual look with the bow craze of 2023. Think football jerseys, baggy jeans, and Adidas Sambas paired with dainty skirts, bows and silver jewelry. Despite its inherent gender-based juxtaposition, this trend is not limited by the gender binary. This aesthetic has been adopted and executed by many — join in by taking your stereotypical sporty pieces and styling them into your own wardrobe! 

Gorp-Core

Noted by a variety of TikTokers as 2023’s most functional aesthetic, ‘Gorp-Core’ transforms practical, outdoorsy pieces and styles them into editorial fashion. With the term initially created by writer and editor Jason Chen to describe “defiantly ugly” outdoor fashion, “Gorp-Core” has now taken over the functional fashion world. Key pieces include hiking boots, cargo pants, windbreaker jackets and a warm hat, with minimal accessories to elevate the look.

While this trend continues on the rise, many Canadian brands stand at the forefront of the “Gorp-Core” aesthetic such as Canada Goose, Arc’teryx and Rudsak. According to Vogue, this trend focuses on “sporty, utilitarian pieces that are made for embracing the outdoors.” Whether these styles are toned down for a street style look, or used in functionality, this style is reflective of an interest boost for outdoor activities post-pandemic. 

Coquette 

Not to be confused with “ballet-core” or the “clean girl” aesthetic, the ‘coquette’ trend is a compilation of all things “frilly and lacy.”. Characterized by lace, flushed blush and dainty hair accessories, this look embraces femininity at its core. You’ll often see people wearing pieces in a coherent colour palette comprised of pinks and whites. Ideally, the Coquette” closet staples are hair bows, lace dresses, ear muffs and shrug cardigans. 

This aesthetic moves past fashion and into the aesthetic lifestyles of those who engage with the movement. With over 1.3 billion views on TikTok, the visual aesthetics of the “Coquette” movement position it as a “soft lifestyle” based on dance and rehearsal apparel. Despite the influence of Japanese Lolita subcultures and Rococo-era fashion, the “Coquette” look now refers to the light-hearted girly style.

Recession-Core

In a world where many have become keen to over-consumption habits, the term “recession-core” reflects the minimal nature of a post-COVID-19 world. Moving forward from the Y2K maximalism present in recent decades, natural tones have become popular with the younger generation. With beige and neutral colour palettes and simplistic fashion trends rising through social media, this aesthetic directly reflects a downturned economy. 

An extreme sense of “gloominess” has been added to recent runway exhibits and red carpets as accessories and over-the-top styles have been pushed back. This androgynous aesthetic is experimental and rule-breaking with closet basics. Subversive basics and silver jewelry can be classified within this aesthetic. This style encourages individuals to style what they have and stay conscious about their consumer habits during a recession. 

Barbie-Core

@erin22xoxo When I say I’m OBSESSED with the second dress 🥹💗 @prettylittlething crushed it as usual 🥹 which was your fav?! #prettylittlething #pinkdress #pinkdressgirl #pinkdressoutfit #barbieoutfits #barbieoutfit #barbiedress #torontoinfluencer #torontocreator ♬ Barbie Girl - Lady Aqua

Alongside the highly anticipated Barbie film earlier this year, the vibrant, pink “Barbie-core” aesthetic defines 2023. Although hot pinks and vibrancy are no new aesthetic, much of the newly gained hype can be credited to the film. Since the Barbie movie became one of the highest-grossing movies of this year, pink products have been making an appearance everywhere. From platform pumps, purses, and over-the-top accessories, this pinky aesthetic was a summer staple.

The entirety of this aesthetic can be encapsulated by the colour pink by itself. Whether it's an intense hue of hot pink or a pastel shade of baby pink, this aesthetic embraces the plastic doll’s signature looks through everyday looks. According to People Magazine, the “silhouettes range from latex mini dresses to dainty fit-and-flares.” Barbie-core” can be adapted to all body types. Whether you are curvy, petite, short, tall or everything in between, embrace the Barbie lifestyle by taking on this aesthetic. !

While trends come and go, these five aesthetics defined 2023 in an abundance of ways. From pop culture references to an economic downturn, much can be taken from the popular fashion trends of this year. As subcultures and the defiance of conventions arise, let this past year be an introduction to the world of fashion trends. You may even be able to incorporate aspects of each trend into your wardrobe — nonetheless, let’s see what trends lie ahead in the new year.

Halloween costumes ideas to “creep” up with the trends in 2023

From viral internet sensations to blockbuster movie characters, CanCulture has got you covered with some modern costume ideas.

By Hafsa Hanif

It's that time of year when we put the "boo" in "boogie" and the "eek" in "chic." 

In this eye-popping, cobweb-clearing and absolutely bone-chilling list, we're going to explore the hottest, trendiest, and most outlandish Halloween costume ideas for 2023. Forget the phantom of past costume trends— it's time to summon the spirits of characters, memes, and moments that define this year!

Here are seven costume ideas that will transform your Halloween into the very essence of 2023, you won't want to miss a single spine-tingling detail.

Workout Barbie and Ken

Because the Barbie movie was the phenomenon that it was, Barbie costumes are only to be expected for this year’s spooky season. Spice up your Barbie costume by turning your Halloween into a fitness fiesta with Workout Barbie and Ken costumes! For Barbie, this ensemble includes a vibrant workout-themed outfit that’s both sporty and spooky. And don't forget your leotard - it's pretty much mandatory for this one

Grab a partner to complete the Workout Ken costume, so you and can be a spooktacular fitness duo that is sure to haunt the dance floor.

The Addams Family

 Wednesday Addams l Gomez l  Morticia 

From the popular Netflix series Wednesday, get ready to step into the dark and mysterious world of the Addams family as Wednesday Addams for Halloween! This costume embodies the eerie and iconic character played by Jenna Ortega. With a gothic black dress, pale makeup and her signature braids, you will transform into be the spookiest member of the family. Enlist a few friends and complete the Addams family ensemble to make the coolest “family-friendly” group costume. 

Loki

Buy it here


Why did Loki never excel in mathematics? Because he could never figure out which side he's on – 'odd' or 'even'! Ride the wave of the Loki TV series’ second season and conquer the costume contest with your Loki attire, and remember, with great mischief comes great responsibility (to have fun)!

Rihanna from the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

Zip up | Gloves | Mic prop | Sweater

If you want a jaw-dropping moment like Rihanna had at the LVII Super Bowl, then consider recreating her iconic all-red outfit at her pregnancy announcement performance. You do have the option of purchasing the original outfit worn by Rihanna by LOEWE for just over $2000, but if you are on a slightly tighter budget, it would not be difficult for a DIY outfit that still encompasses Rihanna’s fierceness.  

Ice Spice 

Speaking of icons from this year, it would be unjust not to mention hip-hop's newest princess and everyone’s obsession — Ice Spice. Whether you are looking for a munch or wandering around delis, this Ice Spice costume is bound to catch the attention of everyone in the room. Grab an orange curly wig, your best outfit and a bad “B” attitude, and you are all set. 

Spider-Punk

This list would not be complete without the spider-verse’s newest favourite rockstar. Whether it’s the version from the comic book or Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse, dressing up as Spider-Punk will guarantee your presence to be an edgy and eccentric one.

Drake and Adonis

This duo costume idea is in honour of the recent release of For All the Dogs by Toronto local legend- Drake. This Halloween’s trendiest duo costume idea is crowned to that of Drake and Adonis, who also made major waves with his feature on the album. There are many ways to dress up to pay tribute to the father-son duo, one of the more creative ones includes a red apron for the drake costume (from his recent performance on tour in a red apron) and a curly blonde wig for the Adonis counterpart. 

Taylor Swift from The Eras Tour

The “Queen of Pop” made major headlines with the Era Tour this year. With this Taylor Swift-inspired costume, you'll be rocking the superstar's signature style and you'll be the life of the party, just like Taylor herself. Put on your stylish attire, grab your guitar (real or air) and prepare to "never go out of style" as Taylor Swift. You can also pick outfits that resemble any “eras” for a twist. Remember, in this costume, you're always "fearless" and "ready for it!"

As the clock ticks towards the eeriest night of the year, 2023 is poised to deliver a Halloween like no other. We’ve unveiled seven costume ideas to define moments from here and now. In a world where past costume trends are banished into shadows, we step into terrifying your friends and family with 2023-inspired attire.

Let this night be filled with spine-tingling chills, unforgettable moments and a touch of magic that only 2023 can provide! 

Top Canadian books to watch out for in 2023

A new year means the earth has begun a new orbit around the sun — but for readers it means new worlds of words await

By: Melanie Nava Urribarri

black graphic with a red lined illustration of the back of a person's head holding books

In most parts of Canada, January always brings a familiar, freezing breeze that seeps through thick coats and tickles the nerves on our skin as we try desperately to stay warm. This frigid month also puts forward the promise of new beginnings and the slow descent of the winter months. You just have to survive, let the snow become a routine and the early sundown blanket you until the summer brings back its comforting warmth.

It’s clear that enjoying winter can be hard for most of us (I personally will not leave my house unless necessary), but with January, Canada also brings along an ocean of writers that the new year has given opportunity to. They’re well-rested and excited to let their words flow to the masses. So for your survival, I’ve listed below a few of the top Canadian books to watch out for in 2023 to help you get that last push you need to get through this harsh, Canadian winter.

“What Remains of Elsie Jane” by Chelsea Wakelyn

Written by Canadian musician and author Chelsea Wakelyn from Vancouver Island, this novel holds 4.5 stars on Goodreads so far from readers who have received the book in advance.

As an adult fiction novel, it’s described to be “a heartbreaking and darkly funny portrait of a woman unravelling in the wake of tragedy.” The story follows Elsie Jane, who has just lost her partner. She’s left to manage the hardships of life and care for her daughter and son on her own, as well as manage her grief alone. Advance readers felt the loss portrayed was authentic to the grieving process, though because of the heavy material directly related to that distress, they say it was a bit hard to get entirely lost in the novel.

If you’re interested in reading contemporary, heart-wrenching realities, this book may be for you. What Remains of Elsie Jane will be available on Amazon and at Barnes and Nobles for purchase starting Feb. 28, 2023.

“Sing, Nightingale” by Marie Hélène Poitras

Written by Marie Hélène Poitras in French and translated into English by Rhonda Mullins, this book holds 3.4 stars on Goodreads and is described as “a gothic tale of secrets and revenge.”

The novel is a mix of the mystique and the sinister. Right off the bat, it is revealed that an estate once flourishing, is falling into ruin — along with the people inhabiting it. Following a long line of fathers who have succeeded in these lands at the expense of others (mostly women), a woman by the name of Aliénor is brought to the community by the current father of the estate. She brings a promise to the land —that the plants will flourish, the animals will multiply and each feast will be more sumptuous than the last. The twist? Aliénor is a “whisperer,” a woman that is able to awaken past generations of silenced women now able to have their voices heard.

If gothic fiction is your genre, this novel will be published Feb. 14, 2023, and available at All Lit Up.

“Old Babes in the Wood” by Margaret Atwood

A highly anticipated new release by literary legend Margaret Atwood, her first short story collection since 2014 dives into the depths of “family relationships, marriage, loss and memory, and what it means to spend a life together.”

Here, Atwood is able to go back to short fiction, returning with her creativity and her prized skill at touching the driving forces of humanity with stories that continue to both delight and devastate.

Coming out on March 7, 2023, this book will be available at Indigo as well as many other bookstores across the country.

“Ring of Fire: High-Stakes Mining in a Lowlands Wilderness” by Virginia Heffernan

Expected March 14, 2023, this book is written by Virginia Heffernan, an author from Toronto and a former geoscientist.

This historical fiction incorporates relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people at a time when prospectors discover metal deposits under the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario in 2007. These findings lure an American company and force politicians to confront their legal duties in the consultation of Indigenous Peoples on developing their traditional territories.

Ring of Fire: High-Stakes Mining in a Lowlands Wilderness is a well-researched, provocative piece on Northern resources and opens up a variety of discussions of issues that are still real and present in 2023.

Herfferman’s novel will be available at Indigo and Amazon, as well as at many other distributors.

“Bad Cree” by Jessica Johns

By Indigenous-Canadian author Jessica Johns, a member of Sucker Creek First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta, this novel was initially an award-winning short story and is now a full-length novel. It incorporates elements of the horror genre mixed with magical realism. The story follows a young Cree woman “whose dreams lead her toward self-discovery and eventually seep into reality.” Currently, this novel has four stars on Goodreads and many have described it as beautifully-written, touching upon heavy themes in Canada’s Indigenous history while putting a focus on dreams, which can hold intense significance within Cree culture.

Bad Cree was published on Jan. 10, 2023, and is currently available on Amazon for purchase.

Are these titles not capturing your interest? Don’t worry! There are hundreds more Canadian novels out there, such as On the Ravine by Vincent Lam, Snow Road Station by Elizabeth Hay or The Fake by Zoe Whittall. Without a doubt, one is sure to spark your interest and make your heart warm and full no matter the weather.